Things I Think About - Silencing Triggers

[lucyruthe]

Well, I got my panties in a bunch this week, and I said something. I struggle with that whole "is it worth it?" question and am of two minds. First is the "beat a dead horse/feed a troll" perspective. But bigger in my backbrain and much more looming is the "stop silencing me/I'm not afraid of you/I have a right to an opinion" perspective

Comments

[mle292]

Narrow minded name-calling on Facebook?! I'm shocked! Good for you for recognizing the communication for what it was.

On a more positive note, I've heard some very positive things about 4-H lately, and you mentioned them in your post. I don't know what they were like when you were a kid, but if I had known what a nifty organization 4-H is when my little podling was younger, I would have wanted her to be involved. They even have chapters here in the big city. They appear to be about all the good parts of scouting (leadership, responsibility, community...) and none of the yucky discrimination.

[lucyruthe]

I enjoyed 4-H, though I always gravitated to the crafting/sewing aspect of it. I get the impression that the experience of 4-H depends largely on your club/troupe. But if a kid has interests in creative projects or animal rearing, 4-H is a great outlet to learn more and refine a craft.

[alierajean]

OT... sorta. (Re: Obamacare and FB)

But oh my god I knew better. I knew I shouldn't engage with that moron and yet... there I went. He totes gets bonus points for telling me know what I understand too. Thanks!

[lucyruthe]

Mansplaining - the most frequently used and rarely admitted form of male privilege. ;)

I hear you. I understand.

[anonymous]

Your story mirrors my own with the only exception that I am male.

As a female who spent my formative teen years in a small town, I was expected to be quiet and demure. I was mocked for my instinct to pursue knowledge, even more so for having opinions of my own and *gasp* speaking them out loud. My instinct became to clam up and not share the things that interested me with others because I expected to be made fun of.

I understand that being female probably made it that pressure worse but environments like this hate intellect of any kind unless it can play football as well or at least beat the others into pulp in the parking lot. Since I couldn't do those things I was either weird or gay.

Re: I hear you. I understand.

[lucyruthe]

Yeah, I absolutely witnessed that kind of behavior, too. Conform to their values or be bullied. I can't even imagine what gay kids must go through living in a place like that...

Re: I hear you. I understand.

[revdj]

I'm a guy, too. "So much of my personal life didn't happen out loud." Yes.